Matchbook holder



June 28, 1960 A. s. BODlN MATCHBOOK HOLDER 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Dec. 15 1955 Alfred 5. Bod/n uvvmro/a June 28, 1960 A. s. BODIN MATCHBOOK HOLDER 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Dec. 15, 1955 Fig./2

Alfred S. Bad/n INVENTOR.

Q BY United States Patent C i MATCHBOOK HOLDER Alfred S. Bodin, 7510 W. 109th St., Worth, Ill.

Filed Dec. 15, 1955, Ser. No. 553,229

Claims. (Cl. 206-31) The present invention relates to certain new and useful improvements in a matchbook holder, that is, a specially constructed device which isolates and keeps the.

book of safety matches in a readily accessible position for severance and positions the usual abrasive strip apart from the matches, thus minimizing accident.

A specific purpose of the invention is to provide a simple, practical, economical and easy-to-use matchbook holder, which will serve to provide a specific place for matchbooks with the stated safety feature added, whereby to thus provide a novel and highly useful adaptation primarily for home use. a

As will be hereinafter more particularly evident, the inventive concept, in an over-all sense, is susceptible of satisfactory accomplishment in more than one structural embodiment. In the instant presentation two embodiments are disclosed. generically construed the invention has to do with a holder comprising a substantially rigid body of suitable structural form and which is characterized by means to receive and temporarily store the cover of the matchbook in an out-of-the-way position. complemental means functions to expose and maintain the book of matches in. a position set apart from the cover and in unobstructed readiness for handy severance and detachment one by one. The last named means embodies a protective shield which is of an area greater than the full book of matches. Therefore, the matches are susceptible of accessible maintenance on one side and within the marginal limits of the shield and this same shield has a prescribed match slot or opening with which the abrasive strip is aligned and exposed, the slot being accessible for use only from the other side of the shield.

More specifically, in one form or embodiment of the invention the body means takes the form of a fiat panel and this is provided intermediate its ends or. at its median a slot which is properlylocatedfsothat when the match-i book is positioned in its final and intended locale, the abrasive stn'p lines up with the'slot. ,7

Admittedly, the art to which the invention relates shows that many and varied styles and forms of holders have been made and appropriated for use with the idea of safety in mind. It follows that it is an object of the present invention to structurally, functionallyand otherwise improve upon similarly constructed and performing matchbook holders and, in doing so, to provide handy and practical means in which manufacturers will find manufacturing and retailing problems suitably solved and users will find their anticipated needs aptly met.

Other objects, features and advantages will become subsequently apparent from the following description and the accompanying sheets of illustrative drawings.

In the drawings, wherein like numerals are employed to designate like parts throughout the views:

Figure l is a perspective view of a matchbook holder constructed in accordance with the principles of the invention and showing the same in readiness for use with the matches on what may be called the front side;

Figure 2 is a perspective view of the same observing the opposite or rear side;.

Figure 3 is a fragmentary section showing the initial step in inserting the tip of the matchbook cover;

Figure 4 is a similar fragmentary section showing the next step;

Figure 5 is a succeeding'fragmentary sectional view showing the step wherein thecover is wedged loose from the usual staples at the stub of the book of matches;

Figure '6 is a view in section showing the complete holder and the final step with the mat cheson one; side and the abrasive accessible fromthe other side; t

Figure 7 is a top plan view with portions broken away and shown; in section and with the matches-omitted;

Figure 8 he section on the line 8--8of.Figure- 6 looking in the direction of the arrows; a

Figure 9 is a perspective view of a simplified form of the invention, the modification hereinbefore touched p Figure-10 is a perspective view of the same observing the rear side with the abrasive visible for use;

Figure 1 1 is a vertical section on the line 11-11 of Figure 10 looking in the direction of the arrows; and

Figures 12 and 13 are cross-sections on the horizontal lines 12-12 and 13-13, respectively, of Figure 11; v

portion with a slot which may be said to provide the panel into upper and lower half portions. The upper half portion constitutes the aforementioned protective shield while the lower half portion serves to accommodate the front and back portions of the book cover in a folded state. Specifically designed means is carried by the median portion of the panel on one side thereof and in alignment with the slot and this is constructed to pocket, anchor and hold the stub of the book after the cover has been freed from the staple, with the matches cooperating with the stated one side of the shield and with the abrasive strip in exposed and accessible alignment with the stated slot.

In the other form of the invention a hollow box-like receiver is formed at one end of the body means and is also provided interiorly with a pair of cooperating rollers which catch hold of and draw the matchbook cover in a lengthwise manner through a slot in the receiver and between the rollers, whereby it is stored within the compartment or space of the receiver. At the upper end of the receiver there is an extending fiat panel and here again this constitutes the protective shield and is provided with Referring first to the embodiment of the invention appearing in Figs. 1 to 8 inclusive it will be seen that'the body means is preferablyof one-piece construction." It may be of any appropriate lightweight .rigid material, The aforementioned box like receiver is denoted'by the numeral 16 and it has upper and lower end portions. It is closed except atjthe top-.and it is here provided to one side of the vertical center with arr-upstanding extension which is described as a fiat faced substantially rectangular panel 18. The front face of the panel is denoted at 20-while the rear face is denoted at 22. At the intermediate upper portion there is. a horizontal abutment 24 which is suitably beveled to perform'in' a manner to be described. Just above the top of 'the'receivenand.

below said abutment the panel is provided with a substantially rectangular abrasive accommodation and exposing P slot 26. The marginal edges of this slot are preferably beveled in the manner shown. To the left of the panel the upper portion of the receiver-is fashioned into a relatively thick embossment 28 which in cross-section may be described as a rib and this has a convex surface 30 which functions as a wedge. This embossment is recessed to provide a pocket 32 the bottom of which constitutes a stop shoulder 34. The numeral 36 designates a passage into the receiver.. The recess constitutes a Patented June 28, 1960 holding pocket for the stub portion '38 of the matchbook.

The slotted panel 18 constitutes a shield? On the interior of the receiver 16 are two spaced parallel rollers, 'one to herightqf theras' a esfifi and mounted. fer i.dl.ing,an

' suc eillivjthelnurneral*4l)"(s ig. 8). 'I'he c'ompanion.

book matches is firmly wedged and seated inthe pocketing recess or cavity 74 with the fingerslreplacin'g the rollers of Figures 1-8 asthe pulling means. The lower roller 42 is' t'othe lefts'oftthe ,assage'and' both rollers 1 are rubber; covered n he r ll r. 42 I PIQ ided with it desired ltwillfbe seenjin Fig, 8 thatthe roller PJAIL' r. V a v 44;passing through the side wall of 2.. has. any eat n graspedbetween the rollers, 40 a'n'd 42'. 'Ifhisplaces the f 7 book of matches 52 in the, approximate-positionshown.

Obviously bycatching holdjof the knob'andturning'the. roller. 42 clockwise the roller ,40 rotates in an opposite directionand. the two rollers; feed the coverdownwardly into the receptacle or space of the receiver'lfi. @Referring to Fig. 4 it willlbe seen that the position is such thatthe" back portion of the cover 54 now parall'els' therfront side ,20 of-the shield- 18 and that thestub 38 is now-in contact indirectly with the horizontal abutment '24-. Continued turning-"of the rollers; in-the samedirection now starts the bookofuna-tches to reverse (Fig. 5);fand nextthe cover portions are-drawn down between the; rollers until that portion of the cover denoted'at 54 is rippedlopse andifreedsfronrthe usualjwire staple-56. Continued op; K eration ofi the-rollers draws the cover-into the receiver- 'and the -bookuofimatches"isflipped up against the abutment 24 to-assume the finalfipositiondepictedin' Fig. 6.7

pbsition'thg tubfas ha'sbeenforced and is' sqtieeized jdown intothe pocket-3 2 'where' it-cornes to rest 'against" theishoul derr34 and at-jghe sar'ne'tiineithe abrasive; strip 58 i's-brought-finto registryv with the slot -26 fwhere it is nowaceessible' for use. i i

, In the simplier erm as theiniv'ention 55min Figs; to

133' inclusive the body meansis denotedby themumeral half of the cover is then firmly creased and the tip end pointed back upward and inserted'in the slot 78 below the pocket. It is not torn away since it must serve the purpose of removal of the stub when the matches have i been used up, The lower-halfi-portion of the cover is removed from the slot at; its; tipend and; the upper half of the cover is pushed upward with a sidewise motion until the stub is freesandi-the entireused package-iris removed in the reversed action. t

Although the lid or cover 80 is not essential it is bet lieved to be desirable in;-that; itmay. hegused to contain advertisements. It also finishes off the appearance of the holder to a greater degree and provides a generous space for ads on front and reverse sides. It also covers any i ads that may appear, as usual on thebookmatches themselves. V a a V t An advertiser using .thismedium need' only make, a single investmentin'the'hold'er and itwill keep his message perrnanently displayed,;as isobvious. 'It is. designedto attract the atention of observers byits own ingenious V appearance and mode of use.

Briefly the steps involved in, using this; form or the in,- vention consists in loosening the coverandpositioning the same withthe flaps or portions as illustrated intFig.

. 11' with the matches seated in the pocket and in readiness for use inan obvious manner.

I g V 7 No wedgeaction is necessary here since the user will do the separating 1 himself by hand. After this is' done, the free end of 7 coveris inserted in pocke't-and when accessible for grasping atunderside'ef-pocket, it is-pulleddown untilstub of 6'0: 1 This, specifically} is 'a rectangulap rigid panel; :The x median portionof the panel is provided with abeveled-f fedge horizontal slfit 62 which may saidtojdiv'idethe panel intoanupper-half portion '64 anda lower half-fportion-66.; Theupper half'portion'constitutes-the safety s'hield for the matches. j'On the opposite; or-front side ofa the-panel, the-side 68-in'Fig. 11, there is the desired abutmerit: 70: and below this isflan integral enlargement or V embos'sment'which is denotedby the numeral'72." This isfofrih-l-ike cross-section. 'It is provided 'with' a recess 'Z tiunctiQning-as a'pocket and;having a shoulder 76 at the. bottom serving at a stop. f If; desired-there may also 'bea slbt.asat-l78.- ;.Although itis not absolutelyessential desirable" hereto provide a plate as at 1.80; whicht-is able? edgei'isiprovidedfwith a finger-piece 86;? L 3 7 ttAlthoughl the-{rollers shown in the firstdescribed:form

f;the.inventionare not usedfhere-it will be evident that itheai'provision of the hinged cover or lid '30; permitsthe lowenhalfiiportion 66 inthe cover tofunc'tionas areas a cover and has marginal fiaiigesf 82 andis 'hingedly'mountediat-its-bottom at 84.- -.'I hefuppe'rj swing eeiyenandtoprovide space'thereiri' for the-fiaps'orffront V andzrearf portion's' 'of theirnatch holder. It is-belieyed'that 7 7 here: the-portionspf the match holder may be satisfactorilyreferred'to by. the-same numerals; alreadyntiliz'edin V 'Cfi tnfictibni the description of Figures lto -8 inelusive.

V liflnithe omissioniofythe wedge means 30 and theroller's inakesdt-necessary for-theuserhimselfitocatch holdof t In. the. form of the invention under consideraand'lpulLthe-eover loose from thestaplei Aft'enthe free .sjerlzdown-throughz the slot: 78-andg when accessible s earning; it; pulled down A until the stub 3e of 'the end f: -the.cover is;inserted into'the pocket 74 and the'tip book:1natehes:isfirmly wedged and seated in theexisting pocket. The stripping ofthe, stub may also be accomplished bytpullingdownwardly on the cover after the 1 ;cover is inserted" intothe pocketi The lower half of cover is then firmly" creased (as shown); and tip end 7 pointed back upwardand inserted; in slotted openingbelow= pocket. nltis not torn away since it"mnst' serve the purpose of removalgof-stub whenrnatches have been dissipated. Th e lower half of cover is removed from the slot atits tip endandtupp erhalf off cover is pushed upwardly with a sidewise motion till stub isifree andentire affair is removed in reverse action; V'I'he abrasive or media or strip comes intoregistrjy with the s1ot means62 asshown in Fig 'lOand-the device is ready for use. 'Since many users failtojclose thecover on a book ofmatches they are aptto encounter, I as most have. done, an accident resulting in burns.

Itis to be noted that'the safety feature isiautomaticiby simply flipping Fig. 9'o ver to re verse sitlein'hand, It 1S positivewithout giving it thought; It is talien care of in the; process o striking match. 1 I K V I The device 'may be constructe'd andf used" as shown lIi ltS respective modification in the figures ofthe drawfilings; 0r, the form seenf'in iiguresfgtoll mayhave. a .,nail h0le at the; top andi'behung up. on a suitable supporting surface in the honie when not in us'e. It is also desirable in many instances to attacht the form of the invention seen in Figs l toi 8 ;inclusive.' to a'baseboardlnot shown) which is screwed or otherwise'nailed' to the wall and to provide a hingeconnectionibe'tween the holder and the baseboard so that practical usage may, be, promoted, Under this anangement ajspecifiti filagb for book matches is provided and'the matchesinay he'hn ng high and away fromthe reach of children f t It'is'to be stated'that thev rib or embossnient 72 as seen in Fig. 11 may beprovided onits bottom with a detent and thatithe grip 86 may be resilient to lreep the cover closed; Also in, both forms oi theginvention a clear-. ance notch 88 may be providedflforfthe' accommodation of the wire staple means 56; V

' The foregoing is considered as illustrative only. of the principles ofthe invention. ,Enrther, si g n mod fications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly, alt suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention as claimed.

What is claimed as new is as follows:

1. A match book holder comprising a substantially flat panel provided at its median portion with a slot dividing said panel into upper and lower half-portions, the upper half-portion constituting a protective shield, the lower half-portion being at least equal in area to the upper halfportion and serving to accommodate the front and back portions of the book cover, and means carried by said median portion, located on one side thereof and in alignment with said slot for pocketing, anchoring and holding the stripped stub of said book with the matches cooperating with the stated one side of said shield and the abrasive strip in exposed and accessible alignment with said slot.

2. The structure defined in claim 1 and wherein said means comprises an outstanding embossment recessed and providing a pocket for retentive reception of said stub.

3. The structure defined in claim 2 and wherein said lower portion is provided with an outwardly and downwardly swingable cover which, when closed, parallels said lower portion and provides a storage receiver for the confinable portions of said match book cover.

4. A match book holder comprising a hollow box-like receiver having top and bottom portions, and provided at its top portion with an entrance slot and a communicating stub containing and retaining pocket, roller means operatively mounted in said receiver in cooperating relation in respect to said slot, and complemental means to expose and maintain the book of matches in position set apart from the cover and in unobstructed readiness for severance and detachment, said last named means embodying a protective shield of an area greater than the full book of matches whereby the matches are susceptible of accessible maintenance on one side within the marginal limits of said shield, and said shield having a prescribed match slot with which the abrasive strip is aligned and exposed, said slot being accessible for use only from the other side of said shield.

5. A match book holder comprising a panel having a slot, a hollow box-like receiver at one end of the panel with feed rollers therein, means for holding the book of matches and threading the cover thereof between the rollers and into the space of the receiver, said means being positioned opposite said slot, and means on the exterior of said receiver for handily operating said rollers, said holding means functioning to expose and maintain the book of matches in a position set apart from the cover and in unobstructed readiness for severance and detachment behind said panel, the latter constituting a protective shield of an area greater than the full book of matches whereby the matches are susceptible of accessible maintenance on one side Within the marginal limits of said shield, and said shield having a prescribed match slot with which the abrasive strip is aligned and exposed, said slot being accessible for use only from the other side of said shield.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 687,343 Schilz Nov. 26, 1901 2,431,561 Hyman Nov. 25, 1947 2,558,586 Sherman June 26, 1951 2,653,705 Hall Sept. 29, 1953 FOREIGN PATENTS 3,673 Great Britain 1915 

